Safety device for elevators.



T. T. BOYLE.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR ELEVATORS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1914.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

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THEODORE '1. BOYLE, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK D. ANDRUS, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

SAFETY DEVICE FOR ELEVATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1916.

Application filed May 11, 1914. Serial No. 837,927.

To all whom it may concern j Be it known that I, THEODORE T. BOYLE, a citizen of the- United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Safety Devices for Elevators, of which the fo-llowing is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to safety devices for elevators and has among the obj eets thereof to provide a simple and efficient construction which will cut out the circuit to the controlling mechanism in the car when the elevator Other objects of the invention will more fully hereinafter appear.

i The invention resides in the peculiar construction, arrangement and combination of parts as herein set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustrationshowing'the elevator shaft, the car, and the relation of the controlling circuits of the car; Figs. 2 and 3 are plan views illustrating the construction of my improved controlling switch, showing the parts of the switch respectively in open and closed position.-

A designates the elevator shaft, B the elevator car and C D E several floors of a building.

F is a usual control lever in the elevator car and G is the control or switch-board in the car.

, Leading from the magnet-board G that controls the mechanism for raising and low ering the car are electric conductors H, I and J, the arrangement being such that when the conductors H and I are in circuit, the car will be driven upward, while the circuit formed by the conductors I and J will effect a lowering of the car. When the con-' ductor I is out of circuit with both the other conductors, the ear is at rest. The arrangement of the electric conductors, however, may be of any suitable construction and does not form a part of my invention.

Su tably arranged in the car-controlling circuit are one or more switches K, which are constructed to be closed by an elevator door. While the switch may be arranged to be actuated by either the door of the car or the door of the elevator shaft, I will describe the invention as applied to the doors of the elevator shaft. The switches K are shown as in the circuit extending between the switch-board G and the magnet-board G. Thus L is a conductor connected to the conductor I adjacent the board G, as indicated by M, and extending to one contact as N of the switch K of the top floor. This conductor then extends downward through the several switches to the magnet-board. Therefore, when a switch K is open, the conductor I will not establish electrical connection between the boards G and G.

My improved switches K- are of the construction illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. As shown, 0' is a metallic plate to which is secured an insulating block P, upon which is a lateral projection Q that carries the contact N, and a second spaced contact R. The downwardly-extending portion of the wire L is connected to the contacts N and R and preferably the plate 0 is provided with bearing portions S and T through which the contact N extends, the conductor being clamped to these portions by set-screws U. Pivotally mounted at V upon the plate 0 is an arm W, herein shown as curved, and carrying at its outer end a metallic section X that is adapted to engage the contacts N and R and close the circuit therebetween.

A is a longitudinally-reciprocatory arm having a hooked outerend B which engages over a lateral projection C on the arm W, and D is a spring having one end attached to the casing at E and having the opposite end engaging an eye F on the member A. This spring tends to normally retain the arm W in its rearward position, in which position the switch is open.

In order to obtain a quick closing of the switch, I provide means for snapping the member X into contact with the members N and R and also so arrange the parts that a partial closing of the door will not effect a closing of the switch. Thus, extending downwardly from the member A is a finger lot G which is adapted to engage with a rock arm H pivoted at Ito the plate 0. The rock arm H is provided with a lug J that is positioned to engage a lug K on the portion of the arm WV below the pivot V. L is a spring having one end engaging the projection C and having the opposite end connected as at M to the plate 0.

In operation of the switch just described, assuming that the parts arein the position shown in Fig. 2 and the arm A is moved inwardly, during the initial movement the spring L will cause the part K to engage the part J, and further movement of the member NV will then be arrested until the finger G contacts with the upper end of the rock arm H. Further inward movement of the finger G will cause the arm H ,to rock, moving the lug J toward the point of the member K. During this motion, the arm W will maintain substantially the position shown in Fig. 2. When the memberI-I has been rocked sufficiently to v 7 cause the lug J to move out of contact with the extension K, the spring L will snap the member X in engagement with the contacts N and R. The switch K is designed to. be arranged in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and" the arrangement of the arm W is such that it tends to fall by gravity, so as to effect an engagement of the member X with the contacts N and R. Therefore, if the spring L fails to work,

, the switch nevertheless would close.

the doorwhen the plate 0 is secured to its mounting, I provide the end b adjustable and secure the same in its adjusted position by means of a lock-nut f.

Preferably I provide means operable from within the car to prevent the car from being rendered inoperative by one of the doors being wrongfully opened when the car is intermediate two floors, or in case one of the switches becomes inoperative. This com prises a conductor N having one end connected to the same terminals of the magnetboard G asthe conductor L and the opposite end connected to the same terminalof the switch-board G as the conductor I and independento'f the conductors I and L. Arranged in the conductor N and suitably mounted Within the car is a switch O that is normally open. Thus by closing the switch 0 electrical connection between the switch-boards G and G is effected in the same manner as normally but through the conductors I, L and switches 1x.

What I claim as my invention is 1. The combination With two relatively movable members, of a switch carried by one of saidmembers, means normally holding the switch open, and a movable member of adjustable length supported entirely upon the switch-supporting member and actuable by the other first specified member for closing the switch.

2'. The combination with relatively-movable members, a switch carried by one of said members comprising stationary and movable contacts, a spring for opening the switch, means arranged in the path of the other of said relatively-movable members for closing said movable contact, and a spring for assisting in the closing of said movable contact. v I

3. The combination with relatively-movable members, of a switch carried by one of said members comprising a plate secured thereto, stationary and movable contacts carried by said plate, a longitudinally-11lovablemember mounted upon said plate and having its outer end arranged in the path of the other of said relatively-movable members,,a spring acting to" move said longitudinally-movable member outward, and cooperating projections upon the last-men tioned member and the movable contact for effecting a closing and an opening of said switch respectively when the longitue dinally-movable member is at its inward and at its outwardposi'tions of movement.

4. The combination with relatively-movable. members, a switch carried by one of said members comprising a plate, stationary contacts mounted on said plate, a movable contact pivoted to said plate, a longitudinally-movable member having its outer end arranged in the path of the other of said relatively-movable members, spacedprojections on said.jlongitudinally movable member, a projection on said pivoted contact arranged intermediate said spaced projections, and a spring tending to retain said longitudinally-m'ovable member in a position to hold said pivoted contact out of engagement with the stationarycontacts.

5. The combination with relatively-movable members, a switch carried by one of said members comprising a plate securedto said member, s tationary contacts mounted on said member, an arm pivoted to said plate, a Contact carriedby said arm and adapted teenga e said stationary contacts, a spring acting to move, the arm toengage the Contact carried thereby with the stationary contact, a longitudinally-movable member eagagingisaid, pivoted arm, and a spring acting upon said member and tending to retain the latter in a position to hold its the contact carried by the pivoted arm out of engagement with said stationary contact.

6. The combination with relatively-movable members, of a switch carried by one of said members comprising a plate, stationary and movable contacts carried by said plate, a longitudinally-movable member arranged in the path of the other of said relatively-movable members, a spring acting to close said switch, there being cooperating projections upon said longitudinally-movable member and said movable contact, means acting upon said longitudinallymovable member acting to hold said movable contact out of engagement with the stationary contact, a trip for said movable contact, and a finger on said longitudinallymovable member for actuating said trip.

7. The combination with relatively-movable members, of a switch carried by one of said members comprising a plate, stationary and movable contacts carried by said plate, a spring acting to close said contact, a relatively strong spring acting to normally maintain the contact in open position, and a trip arranged in the path of said first-mentioned means for efiecting a snap closing of said switch.

8. The combination with a switch including stationary and movable contacts, of a spring acting to close the switch, a trip engaging the movable contact in open position of the switch, opposing said spring, and a member displaceable in one direction to engage the movable contact and open the switch and in the reverse direction to shift said trip from retaining engagement with said movable contact.

9. The combination with a switch includ ing stationary and movable contacts, of a spring acting to close the switch, a trip engaging the movable contact in open position of the switch, opposing said spring, a member displaceable in one direction to engage the movable contact and open the switch and in the reverse direction to shift said trip from retaining engagement with said movable contact, and a relatively strong spring acting upon the last-mentioned member in opposition to the first-mentioned spring.

10. The combination with a switch, of a member carrying the same, a spring tending to close the switch, means mounted upon said member acting to normally maintain the switch open, a member displaceable to or from said member, and a trip released by the last named member in its approach to the first-named member, to efi'ect a snapclosing of the switch.

11. The combination witha switch, of a spring for closing the same, a relatively strong spring for opening the same, and a mechanism utilizing the force exerted by the stronger spring, in opening the switch to stress the weaker spring.

In testimony whereof I affix my signa ture. in presence of two Witnesses.

THEODORE T. BOYLE.

Witnesses:

WM. J. BELKNAP, JAMES P. BARRY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

